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[ilschroe]

A reflection on intersectionality & social media.

This week’s readings reinforced how deeply social media is intertwined with identity and power. Intersectionality, originally coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw as a legal framework, feels especially relevant in digital spaces where people’s identities are constantly flattened into categories or “boxes.” Platforms often encourage simplified labels: race, gender, political affiliation. While real experiences are far more layered.

The Pew research on activism shows that social media has become a primary entry point for civic engagement. People learn about issues, join conversations, and even organize protests online. At the same time, the New York Times article about the racist Instagram account at a California high school reminds us that digital spaces can also reproduce systemic racism and cause tangible harm offline.

What stands out most is that social media is not neutral. Algorithms determine visibility. Platform policies shape whose voices are amplified or silenced. And users navigate systems that are built for engagement, not equity. Understanding these structures is essential if we want to use social media as a tool for justice rather than division.

[ilschroe]

"Because the intersectional experience is greater than the sum of racism and sexism."

Kimberlé Crenshaw

This quote stood out to me because it captures the core of what intersectionality actually means. It challenges the idea that identities can be separated into neat categories. Instead, it argues that systems of oppression overlap in ways that create unique experiences.

[ilschroe]

How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day

A handful of people working at a handful of tech companies steer the thoughts of billions of people every day, says design thinker Tristan H

In this TED Talk, Tristan Harris explains how social media platforms use what he calls “persuasion architecture”, to shape user behavior. He argues that platforms are designed to maximize attention and ad revenue, usually at the expense of democracy, mental health, and truthful public discourse. When engagement is prioritized over accuracy or well-being, conversations about identity and justice can quickly become polarized.

[ilschroe]

Social media doesn’t just document movements, it helps build them. From livestreams at protests to hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, digital platforms have reshaped how activism spreads and how communities organize. As this week’s readings suggest, these platforms can empower marginalized voices while also exposing them to harassment and algorithmic bias. The same tools that amplify justice can also amplify division.

[ilschroe]

#BlackLivesMatter Turns 10

More than 44 million #BlackLivesMatter tweets from nearly 10 million distinct users currently exist on Twitter today. Over half of all exist

This Pew Research Center report reflects on the 10 year impact of Black Lives Matter and shows how social media has shaped modern activism. It highlights how hashtags can mobilize awareness at a national scale while also documenting the polarization and backlash that often follow. It connects directly to our readings about online activism, identity, and how digital spaces amplify both solidarity and division.